Mercury News Sole Endorsement for Harbir K Bhatia Santa Clara City Council District 1
” Bhatia remains the best candidate. In 2020, we called her “one of the most impressive council candidates in Santa Clara in years.” That’s still the case.” – 2024

A Brief Background: Why I Am the Most Qualified

I am excited to announce my candidacy for D1 City Council once again, following a close race that nearly unseated the incumbent. Northside Santa Clara has been my home for over 20 years, and I earned my Master’s in Engineering from Santa Clara University. My deep connection to this city, combined with my extensive professional experience, leadership roles in Santa Clara, grassroots community organizing, international engagement, and crisis relief efforts (including COVID-19 and Ukraine), have uniquely prepared me to be the best candidate for this position.

As a civic entrepreneur at heart, not anyone’s puppet or a career politician. I am equipped to provide innovative solutions in our rapidly evolving city and region. I will focus on improving planning and driving economic development, particularly with the upcoming 2026 World Cup games. I will leverage my strong local, regional, and international relationships to ensure Santa Clara is well-represented on, both, the local and global stage. My commitment is to always put the Community First, as my track record of service and recognition from local, state, and international institutions demonstrates. I will work towards A BRIGHTER FUTURE FOR ALL by providing a sustainable future & economy for all residents, whether seniors, youth, working families, and small businesses.

1. Innovator and Problem Solver: Providing Solutions for the community
2. Forecasting and Planning: Understanding our future needs and planning ahead, based on the forecasts and unforeseen risks
3. Complexity Management: Looking at our City holistically and understanding the dependencies, complexities, and impacts to analyze and weigh the options for the best outcome.
4. Economy and Revenue for Business and Financial Planning: A) Budget and Economic Development: Understanding the sources of revenue to sustain and create new streams through economic development that benefits the residents. Making necessary tradeoffs and plans to meet the needs of the residents at the right time. B) Reducing excess and wastage to avoid losses and improve our financial strength to provide public benefits to the city
5. Event Production: Understanding event production and destination development to ensure benefit for the residents and the city from the 2026 NFL and 2026 World Cup.  
6. PlaceMaking: Improving new development designs with greater public spaces and mutlifunctional spaces. Increasing sidewalks for more walkways and increase foot traffic for small businesses. 
7. Diverse Professional Skills: Corporate Planning for Large scale outcomes, 2) Small Business Owner: Needs of small businesses 3) Nonprofit sector- focussing on lean teams to produce high-quality outcomes for service not for profit 4) Interntional Relationship Skills: Having  skills worked in nonprofit space, humanitarian relief, and Diplomacy efforts through Sister Cities International. 
8. Creating and Improving Process and Policy for Public Benefit: 1) Initiative to improve the small business permitting process for faster launch and more support. 2) Implementing new procedures and policies for large organizations 3) Providing a process for greater transparency and access to City services. 4) Ensuring city is a plaform that allows residents to utilize and build off of.

HIGHLIGHTS: Community Organizing and Leadership, and Solutions 

• Professional Experience in Technology and startups. I revived the Silicon Valley Chamber of Commerce to support Small Businesses 
• Served as City of Santa Clara Commissioner, President of the Library Foundation, Northside Fundraising Committee Member,
• Significant role in bringing the funding and support to get Northside Branch Library
• Launched and SC Crisis Coalition: Led COVID relief efforts with 500 volunteers to provide solutions and aid to tens of thousands of people, hospitals, front-line workers, the homeless, and more.
• Providing humanitarian aid and traveling back and forth to Ukraine to help women and children escape, crisis aid to the war-torn regions, rebuilding shelters, and more
• International relations and development through years of bridge building, relationship development, Sister City Partnerships, etc.
• More leadership and service roles 

I was honored to receive numerous recognitions and awards that reflect the impact and service. Examples include:  2 Community Hero Medals from Santa Clara County for COVID relief leadership, Civilian Medal of Honor from Ukraine, Women’s Month Honoree from CAA D25, “Top 40 Leaders to Watch”, and more. 

It’s time for a new council member who will plan, implement and get results for this complex and changing Santa Clara. While continuing to develop an inclusive and strong community. I am a Community-First candidate creating a thriving Santa Clara that provides a Brighter future for all! I hope I will have your vote and support along with the State Leaders, Council Members and Mayors Past Police Chiefs, Community Leaders, and Residents.  Join me in creating a ‘thriving Santa Clara for all’.

 It’s Time for New Leadership. Action. Results

The Northside has been waiting for the Entertainment District for nearly a decade, yet progress has been very little. With a projected influx of up to 30,000 -40,000 new residents, more and adequate planning for this growth is necessary. Millions of dollars had been wasted on lawsuits related to district creation in the last decade, minimal housing solutions provided, inadequate funding for the necessary infrastructure improvements and full public services,  the closure of the International Olympic Swim Center, and other setbacks. Plus, the remaining council members from the previous council-majority struggled to accept and collaborate with the new council members. This resistance has not only slowed down progress, but also created unnecessary conflict, ultimately hindering the growth and success of our community.”

It’s time for fresh leadership on the City Council D1 seat—leadership that will deliver results for a complex and changing Santa Clara while fostering a positive, connected community. As your Councilmember, I will prioritize building a thriving city that creates a Brighter Future for All. My focus will include enhancing the quality of life through better housing, improved roads and infrastructure, increased funding for community services such as libraries and community centers, safer neighborhoods, and minimizing disruption from Levi’s Stadium. I will also advocate for more civic engagement opportunities and internships for our youth.

Future Forward Platform:

A BRIGHTER FUTURE FOR ALL

Providing a Sustainable Future & Economy for All Residents. For Seniors-Youth-Working Families-Small Businesses

1.High Quality of Life:

More Market Rate and Affordable Housing, Infrastructure Improvements,  Jobs,  Improving Cost of Living, Safety, Entertainment, Open Spaces, Community Services, and Support for Seniors and Children. More programs and activities for residents in Santa Clara. Provide solutions to address homelessness issues. Create more walkable areas. Improve the experience for residents on game days and entertainment at Levis

2. Better Planning and Revenue Streams:

Increase revenue streams to replenish our General Fund to run the city and community services now and in the future. Get the most economic benefit from the 2026 Games. Improve the permitting process for small businesses and entrepreneurs to create jobs.

3. Increased Community Development and Community Input:

Ensure all residents feel included and celebrated! Create more programs and activities to connect residents and build community. Provide more direct self-help access for residents to utilize our city’s parks and resources. Get more inputs on issues, insights on-ground realities. and solutions. Build a pipeline of future leaders

4. Climate Solutions and Opportunities:

Roll out greater climate solutions for City works and electricity cities fleet, and explore solar power for current and future City Hall. Bring Climate Jobs to Santa Clara. 

5. FOR MORE Details